Sir, – It is a national disgrace to see the noxious weed ragwort growing out of control all over the country and nothing effective being done to deal with this nuisance or to stop it from spreading.
Along the roadsides in Fingal, into Co Meath and on down into south County Dublin (all the responsibility of public bodies), it is everywhere. Around Dublin Airport and near Cappagh there are forests of this noxious weed growing totally out of control on private land. And it can even be found in our public parks – the Phoenix Park and Bushy Park to mention just two.
As in so many other aspects of Irish life, enacted legislation (Noxious Weeds Act 1936) and effective enforcement appear to be mutually exclusive.
– Yours, etc,
PHILIP O’REILLY
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.